Early Alabama commitments visit other schools

Published: Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 12:49 a.m.

When a high school football prospect makes his verbal commitment to the school of his choice before National Signing Day in February the prospect is open to visit other schools. Several Crimson Tide commitments are looking around, but the flip side several verbal commitments to other schools are visiting the University of Alabama as well.

Mobile-McGill-Toolen, defensive end Sidell Corley and Florida Gator verbal commitment will visit Alabama. The Scout.com four-star prospect verbally committed to the Gators when he attended their spring game.

Corley was in Tuscaloosa for Alabama’s season-opener against Hawaii and will return for the Iron Bowl for his official visit to the Capstone.

In several interviews with Corley and his father they have stated Alabama’s defensive coordinator Joe Kines is their favorite recruiting coach. Coach Buddy Wyatt is in charge of Corley’s recruitment [Mobile area], but coach Kines remains in contact on a regular basis.

“I still think very highly of Alabama and Auburn," Corley said. “Alabama is still ahead of Auburn. I am still committed to Florida, but Alabama is right behind them."

Mobile-B.C. Rain, cornerback Ryan Williams is rated a four-star prospect by Scout.com and has made his verbal pledge to Auburn. Williams reports, since his commitment to the Tigers, the Alabama coaching staff has remained in regular contact. He hopes to schedule an official visit with the Tide.

Alabama and Auburn were in a dead-heat for his signature prior to his commitment to the Tigers, but Williams said, “The Alabama coaching staff started to not show as much interest as Auburn."

“It’s still a lot of fun for me," Williams stated about recruiting. “Even though I am committed, I am not on bad terms with any school. I have been receiving phone calls from Auburn, Alabama, LSU, South Florida, West Virginia and Clemson. Alabama, West Virginia and South Florida have been recruiting me very hard lately."

His teammate and best friend, Elliott McGaskin, is a Scout.com three-star safety. Alabama is recruiting McGaskin and could possibly extend a gray shirt offer and asked to delay his enrollment until January 2008.

Hoover defensive lineman Josh Chapman is verbally committed to the Auburn Tigers as well. Chapman is rated a three-star prospect with Scout.com and considering an official visit to Alabama.

“I still talk to coach Cheese [Charlie Harbison] all the time," Chapman said. “I am thinking about attending a few football games down there. I may set up an official visit. I really don’t know yet what I will do."

Chapman grew up an Alabama fan, but was a bit discouraged when the Tide offered a gray shirt instead of a regular offer.

Scout.com three-star defensive tackle Alfred McCullough, from Athens, is considering a visit to another SEC program. McCullough continues to receive heavy interest from South Carolina and coach Steve Spurrier. The chances of McCullough switching his commitment to the Gamecocks are slim with his high opinion of the Crimson Tide. McCullough was in Tuscaloosa for the Hawaii game and left the campus very impressed with his overall unofficial visit.

The Alabama coaching staff landed their first prize recruit from the state of Florida when verbal commitment Jermaine McKenzie announced his decision. The Crimson Tide staff will battle the Sunshine State powerhouse schools for the signature of the Scout.com four-star receiver, from Bradenton, (Fla.) Academy. The Florida State Seminoles have officially offered and an official visit to Tallahassee is very possible.

<p>When a high school football prospect makes his verbal commitment to the school of his choice before National Signing Day in February the prospect is open to visit other schools. Several Crimson Tide commitments are looking around, but the flip side several verbal commitments to other schools are visiting the University of Alabama as well.</p><p>Mobile-McGill-Toolen, defensive end Sidell Corley and Florida Gator verbal commitment will visit Alabama. The Scout.com four-star prospect verbally committed to the Gators when he attended their spring game.</p><p>Corley was in Tuscaloosa for Alabama’s season-opener against Hawaii and will return for the Iron Bowl for his official visit to the Capstone.</p><p>In several interviews with Corley and his father they have stated Alabama’s defensive coordinator Joe Kines is their favorite recruiting coach. Coach Buddy Wyatt is in charge of Corley’s recruitment [Mobile area], but coach Kines remains in contact on a regular basis.</p><p>I still think very highly of Alabama and Auburn," Corley said. Alabama is still ahead of Auburn. I am still committed to Florida, but Alabama is right behind them."</p><p>Mobile-B.C. Rain, cornerback Ryan Williams is rated a four-star prospect by Scout.com and has made his verbal pledge to Auburn. Williams reports, since his commitment to the Tigers, the Alabama coaching staff has remained in regular contact. He hopes to schedule an official visit with the Tide.</p><p>Alabama and Auburn were in a dead-heat for his signature prior to his commitment to the Tigers, but Williams said, The Alabama coaching staff started to not show as much interest as Auburn."</p><p>It’s still a lot of fun for me," Williams stated about recruiting. Even though I am committed, I am not on bad terms with any school. I have been receiving phone calls from Auburn, Alabama, LSU, South Florida, West Virginia and Clemson. Alabama, West Virginia and South Florida have been recruiting me very hard lately."</p><p>His teammate and best friend, Elliott McGaskin, is a Scout.com three-star safety. Alabama is recruiting McGaskin and could possibly extend a gray shirt offer and asked to delay his enrollment until January 2008.</p><p>Hoover defensive lineman Josh Chapman is verbally committed to the Auburn Tigers as well. Chapman is rated a three-star prospect with Scout.com and considering an official visit to Alabama.</p><p>I still talk to coach Cheese [Charlie Harbison] all the time," Chapman said. I am thinking about attending a few football games down there. I may set up an official visit. I really don’t know yet what I will do."</p><p>Chapman grew up an Alabama fan, but was a bit discouraged when the Tide offered a gray shirt instead of a regular offer.</p><p>They haven’t offered me a regular scholarship yet. Coach Cheese has been talking to me about a regular offer though," Chapman said.</p><p>Chapman remains a firm verbal commitment to the Tigers, for now.</p><p>Scout.com three-star defensive tackle Alfred McCullough, from Athens, is considering a visit to another SEC program. McCullough continues to receive heavy interest from South Carolina and coach Steve Spurrier. The chances of McCullough switching his commitment to the Gamecocks are slim with his high opinion of the Crimson Tide. McCullough was in Tuscaloosa for the Hawaii game and left the campus very impressed with his overall unofficial visit.</p><p>The Alabama coaching staff landed their first prize recruit from the state of Florida when verbal commitment Jermaine McKenzie announced his decision. The Crimson Tide staff will battle the Sunshine State powerhouse schools for the signature of the Scout.com four-star receiver, from Bradenton, (Fla.) Academy. The Florida State Seminoles have officially offered and an official visit to Tallahassee is very possible.</p><p>Visit TideSports.com for Andrew Bone’s daily recruiting coverage.</p>